2018 Hugo Awards: Best Graphic Story

Any science fiction or fantasy story told in graphic form appearing for the first time in 2017.

A relatively new category, it was first awarded in 2009 as a special category. The 2009 Business Meeting approved it as an ongoing category provided it be re-ratified in 2012. At that time, they decided it had enough interest and viability to become a permanent category.

One thing to keep in mind is that graphic novels are often collections of previously published single issues. In that case, the year of eligibility is the original publication date of the final issue, not the publication date of the graphic novel itself.

Here’s what I’m looking at for Graphic Story:

Ladycastle by Delilah S. Dawson, Ashley A. Woods, and Becca Farrow
This caught my eye over on the 2018 Hugo nominee spreadsheet. Dawson is an author whose books are on my TBR (as Lila Bowen). The premise sounds fun, but I haven’t actually seen it mentioned anywhere else. I may check it out anyway since I can access it from hoopla with my library account.

Bitch Planet, Vol. 2: President Bitch by Kelly Sue DeConnick, Valentine De Landro, and Taki Soma
This was recommended by nerds of a feather and others. I would need to go back and read Vol. 1. I picked up both recently in a Humble Bundle from Image Comics.

Octavia E. Butler’s Kindred by Damian Duffy and John Jennings
Having just finished Luminescent Threads: Connections to Octavia E. Butler (and nominating it for Best Related Work), this should be a good follow-up. It was also recommended by nerds of a feather. [Update 3/15/2018: added to my ballot.]

My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, Book One by Emil Ferris
I read this because it’s on the BooktubeSFF Awards shortlist (and my library had it). Designed to appear as though the protagonist is drawing her own story in a lined, spiral-bound notebook, the title comes from her love of horror comics. But the real monsters here are all ostensibly human. I’ve already added it to my Hugo Ballot.

Monstress, Volume Two: The Blood by Marjorie Liu and Sana TakedaMonstress, Volume One: Awakening was last year’s winner, and I really loved it. They’re both also included in the Humble Bundle from Image Comics. [Update 3/13/18: added to my ballot.]

Everyone’s a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too by Jomny Sun
Another one shortlisted for the BooktubeSFF Awards (and I was able to get it through interlibrary loan). It’s very cute and fun with more serious underlying themes, but I’m waffling about whether to nominate it or not. [Update 3/13/18: added to my ballot.]

Paper Girls, Vol. 3 by Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff ChiangPaper Girls, Vol. 1 was a finalist last year. I would need to read Vol. 2 first. All three are available on hoopla via my library.

Saga, Volume Seven by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona StaplesSaga, Volume One was the winner in 2013, and subsequent volumes have been finalists almost every year since. Saga, Volume Eight is also eligible this year. [Update 3/16/2018: added to my ballot.]

Ms. Marvel, Vol. 7: Damage Per Second by G. Willow Wilson, Mirka Andolfo, Takeshi Miyazawa, and Francesco GastonMs. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal was the winner in 2015, and Ms. Marvel, Vol. 5: Super Famous was a finalist last year. Ms. Marvel, Vol. 8: Mecca is also eligible this year.